tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121638930391749483.post6762505892014107840..comments2023-10-26T04:17:33.910-07:00Comments on Helderberg News & Info Blog: Who is to Blame for Somerset West's Vagrant Problem?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121638930391749483.post-55547729833387510222010-02-08T09:47:15.024-08:002010-02-08T09:47:15.024-08:00Hey Timothy, I think you should read the post agai...Hey Timothy, I think you should read the post again? You are not making any sense at all!Stephen Leppanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03958110467446841168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121638930391749483.post-12097455817455113622010-02-07T15:10:48.636-08:002010-02-07T15:10:48.636-08:00i think we should look at the situation thoroughly...i think we should look at the situation thoroughly if we want to make judgments. we as humans are so quick to pass judgments without all the facts.<br />what got these 'vagrants' onto the streets? what got them into alcohol and drugs? they are victims of a cruel and inhumane capitalist society, they are the suffering. harshness and anger toward them is only kicking them while they are down. if anybody wants to complain about them, they should first try do something about the problem. like Rob's suggestion.<br />we want to have the poor put out of sight, so we can pretend that we live in some magical perfect place.<br />instead of complaining and closing yourself off, maybe we should be talking to these poor people that have been driven to homelessness, find out why they feel they need drink/drugs, counsel them, love them.<br />they are humans, our brothers and sisters. they deserve dignity, love, respect. shelter. food. wisdom, teaching, love, love and love.<br />im my family were murdered and i lost my job and i was forced out onto the streets, i would like to know that somebody out there would help me, not scorn me and call me an eye-sore and a public nuisance.<br />perhaps this is the biggest reason they turn to drugs and booze, because they have lost everything, and they know that there is no love for them out there. they are hollow people with no hope of love or acceptance.<br /><br />i plead with anyone reading this, try with me to not be so nasty to people, try to love all fellow humans, love them unconditionally. because isnt that what we all want? to be loved despite of the bad things we do.<br />lets love one another.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05128388626343705032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121638930391749483.post-18226156767095689562010-02-07T07:31:42.732-08:002010-02-07T07:31:42.732-08:00We need a combined, co-ordinated, holistic effort ...We need a combined, co-ordinated, holistic effort with ALL parties: NGO's, Govt, Religious Groups, etc working together. Some of us are in the process of trying to set this up and have begun talks with relevant parties.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12348078985522197996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121638930391749483.post-79889827137438661932010-02-05T04:14:13.981-08:002010-02-05T04:14:13.981-08:00Thank you Rob for this we will try and follow you ...Thank you Rob for this we will try and follow you and prehaps get in touch when we get some community buy in! Thanks again!Stephen Leppanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03958110467446841168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121638930391749483.post-52836416933954356882010-02-05T04:03:32.893-08:002010-02-05T04:03:32.893-08:00I picked this up on the local Social Issues google...I picked this up on the local Social Issues google group that I have set up for the Observatory Civic Association. Two suggestions.<br />1. In Ward 57 (includes Mowbray, Obs, Salt River, Woodstock), we have two field workers who interact with street people on the street and as a first step try to get them into a shelter.<br />2. We have set up a meal coupon scheme with Spar. Shoppers buy R5 meal coupons, and (rather than handout cash) give these to street people. <br />A coupon gets a hot supper at Loaves and Fishes, a local second-phase shelter. We try to educate people to 'give responsibly' which means not giving cash handouts.<br />Rob Gaylard robgaylard@mweb.co.zaRob Gaylardhttp://words-ekapa.co.zanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121638930391749483.post-70740071285231216662010-02-01T11:48:56.878-08:002010-02-01T11:48:56.878-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rudiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16158111294522195511noreply@blogger.com